Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the growing issue of black and gray market activities targeting AI applications, particularly the systematic theft of "new user rewards" which undermines the financial viability of AI companies [1][2]. Group 1: Black and Gray Market Activities - The black market for AI products is thriving on platforms like Taobao and Pinduoduo, where users can purchase "black market computing power" at significantly lower prices compared to official rates [1][3]. - For instance, the "Keling AI" black market offers 26,000 inspiration points for approximately 319 yuan, while the official price is around 916 yuan, indicating a substantial loss for AI companies [1][3]. - Sellers are using advanced methods to bypass platform monitoring, such as selling "Cookie data" for account access and providing tutorials for easy registration [3][4]. Group 2: Financial Impact on AI Companies - AI companies face immense pressure from high computing costs, with a significant portion of expenses attributed to computing power, which can account for up to 95% of total costs [6][7]. - Many AI applications are currently operating at a loss, with reports indicating that a majority of AI unicorns have not achieved positive cash flow [7][10]. - The black market's pricing severely undercuts official pricing, leading to a direct threat to the monetization strategies of AI platforms [10]. Group 3: Challenges in User Growth and Regulation - AI companies are caught in a dilemma between combating black market activities and the pressure to show user growth, often leading to a compromise on regulatory measures [12][14]. - The rise of fake accounts created by black market activities distorts user data and complicates the long-term operation of AI products [10][12]. - Legal experts warn that platforms may face administrative responsibilities if they fail to protect user data and comply with network information security obligations [14][16]. Group 4: Recommendations for Mitigation - Experts suggest that AI platforms should implement stricter controls during the registration and login processes to intercept fraudulent activities at the source [16]. - Legal actions, including civil lawsuits and criminal reports, are recommended for companies suffering losses due to black market activities [16].

Core Insights - The article highlights the growing issue of black and gray market activities targeting AI applications, particularly the systematic theft of computing power through the exploitation of user incentives and rewards [1][2][4] Group 1: Black and Gray Market Activities - The black market for AI products is thriving, with platforms like Taobao and Pinduoduo offering discounted "new user" rewards for various AI applications, significantly undercutting official pricing [2][5] - Sellers are using advanced methods to bypass platform monitoring, such as selling "Cookie data" for account access and providing tutorials for easy registration [2][3] - The scale of these operations indicates a well-organized industry, with distinct roles from resource providers to sales platforms [3] Group 2: Financial Implications for AI Companies - AI companies face significant financial pressure due to high computing costs, with a large portion of expenses attributed to computing power [4][5] - Many AI applications are currently unprofitable, with reports indicating that numerous AI unicorns have not achieved positive cash flow [4] - The black market's pricing for computing resources is drastically lower than official rates, leading to substantial revenue losses for AI companies [5][8] Group 3: User Experience and Market Dynamics - The availability of cheap black market accounts undermines the conversion of free users to paying customers, threatening the business model of AI platforms [8][9] - The presence of fake accounts created by black market activities distorts user data and negatively impacts the long-term operation of AI products [8][10] - Companies are caught in a dilemma between enhancing user growth metrics and maintaining compliance with legal standards, risking potential legal repercussions [10][11] Group 4: Mitigation Strategies - Experts suggest that AI platforms need to implement stricter controls at the registration and login stages to prevent bulk fake registrations [11] - Legal actions, including civil lawsuits and criminal reports, are recommended for companies suffering losses due to black market activities [11]